Signaling apparatus



Sept. 10, 1935. c, LL ER 4 2,014,237

S IGNALING APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1930 V j/igf/ 24 fidal i 224; 17642:

A ORNEY-S Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE Edwards and New York Gornpany, Inc., a corporation of Application June 19, 1930, Serial No. 462,211

17 Claims.

This invention relates to signaling apparatus, particularly of the audible type, such as electrically actuated bells or buzzers. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple and thorough'ly practical electric buzzer or bell construction that will be capable of rapid and inexpensive manufacture and thoroughly dependable and reliable action in practical use. Another object is to provide a. construction of the above-mentioned character that will be capable of rapid and inexpensive assembly. Another object is to provide aconstruction of the above-mentioned character that will be compact and capable of embodiment in very small form. Another object is to provide a construction for buzzers or bells in which there is'embodied'the relatively small number of parts. Another object is to provide a construction of the above-mentioned character that will be capable of quantity production. Another object is to provide a buzzer and bell construction well adapted to meet the varying conditions of hard practical use. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The inv'ention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements,

and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in thestructure to be hereinafter described and the-scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the'following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure l is a plan view, partly in section, showing the assembled device on an enlarged scale,

Figures 2, 3,4 and 5' may be considered as an exploded perspective view of several of the parts prior to assembly thereof, and more particularly, Figure 2-is a perspective view of a portion of the casing, as viewed generally from the left in Figure 1', Figure 3 is a perspective view of an insulating block or member, Figure 4 is a perspective view of a combined terminal and contact member, and Figure 5 is a like perspective View of a terminal member; and

Figure 6' is a perspective View, with certain parts broken away, of the movable part or parts of the device;

Similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views of the drawing.

I open at its bottom. Adjacent to preferably two of its end walls Ii and E2 the casing has integrally formed therewith securing flanges l3 and M, each provided with a suitable aperture or apertures i5 and It (see also Fig. 2), which are adapted to rest against the surface or wall to which the device is to be applied, suitable secur- 5 ing devices, such as screws or the like, being passed through the openings l5 and I6.

Overlapping and secured to the flange M, as by spot welding thereto, is a bracket I'l, conveniently in the form of a sheet metal stamping, and 1 suitably bent upwardly (toward the observer viewing Fig. 1) to extend within and support a gong IS, the latter being secured thereto as by a rivet I9. The end wall l2 which is adjacent the ong i8 is cut away as at to permit an arm 2i carrying a gong clapper 22 to extend therethrough, the arm 2| being suitably shaped or bent to position the clapper 22 within proximity of the gong l8.

The casing it, which is preferably prawn out 26 of a single'piece of sheet metal, has mounted in its upper right-hand corner, as viewed in Figure 1, a core 23, the latter having a reduced portion 24 extending through a suitable opening in the side wall 3! of the casing l0 and headed over to 25 hold the core 23 rigidly in place. The core 23 has extending thereabout a winding or coil 25 adapted to be energized from any suitable source of current and adapted, in coaction with the core 23, to

actuate the clapper 22, all as will be more clearly described hereinafter. The end wall H and the side wall 3!, as appears better from Figure 1, to-- gether form two arms, at right angles to each other, and insofar as certain aspects of my invention are concerned, I term these two arms as an L-shaped frame.

The left-hand end wall of the casing ID, referring now to Figure 2, is cut away or punched to provide two preferably rectangularly shaped and laterally spaced openings or Windows 26 and 21', the spacing of the two openings leaving therebe-' tween a portion 28 of the side wall H for a purpose to be more clearly described hereinafter, The windows 25 and 27 are cut out in such a way as to leave upper and lower cars 29 and 30 bent outwardly, as is clearly shown in Figure 2, adjacent the openings themselves.

The arm 2! (Figs. 1 and 6) is moved by an armature 32 of generally rectangular shape, the armature 32 being mounted for vibratory movement toward or away from the core 23. Preferably I provide a sheet metal member 33 (Fig. 6) made of a suitable spring material, such as p'hosphor bronze, for example, and shape the member substantially as shown in Figure 6, thus pro- 4 viding it with a substantially U-shaped portion 34, the arms 34 and 34 of which are so spaced as to snugly receive therebetween the portion 28 of the side wall II (see Fig. 1). To the arm 34*, which is longer than the arm 34*, I secure the armature 32 as by the rivets 35. Also, the arm 34 is provided with an extension 34 extending toward the right along the armature 32 and terminating adjacent the right-hand end thereof but spaced therefrom. At its extreme right-hand end I provide the extension 34 with a suitable corrosion-resisting contact 35 made of a material, for example, like German silver.

With the U-shaped portion 34 assembled with respect to the side wall I I, substantially as shown in Figure 1, the armature 32 is suitably positioned for coaction with the core 23 of the magnet 25, it being understood that the armature 32 and the core 23 are made of a suitable magnetic material. Preferably, the armature 32 is made of a suitable thickness of sheet iron, the armature 32, arm 2|, and clapper 22, being preferably made of the same piece of metal and conveniently and preferably stamped in one piece. The clapper 22, as is clearly shown in Figure 1, is substantially-hemi-spherical and hollow, being thus shaped by suitable dies.

With the U-shaped portion 34 interengaged with the portion 28 of the side wall I I, I then place against the outer face of the wall I I an insulating block 31 shaped preferably substantially as indicated in Figure 3. The block 31 is of sufficient length and breadth to close the openings or windows 26 and 21 and is provided with suitable recesses 38 in its upper and lower edges to receive the ears 29 and 30 (see Fig. 2) extending outwardly from the side wall I I of the casing I9. These ears are thereupon bent over upon the outer surface of the insulating block 31, thus securely clamping the latter against the end wall I I of the casing and positively securing the spring memberr33 (Figs. 6 and 1) to the side wall II.

The insulating block 31 is, however, provided with suitable openings which overlap the windows or apertures 26 and 21 in the side wall II of the casing In. For example, referring to Figure 3, the right-hand portion of the insulating block 31 is provided with a slot 35 generally of a rectangular shape and extending transversely and to the right of this slot 39 there are provided two holes 49 and 4|. A combined terminal and contact member generally indicated in Figure 4 at 42 has a shank 43 that passes through the slot 39 and is provided with ears 44 and. 45 that pass through the holes 40 and 4! in the insulating block, being bent over upon the rear face extends substantially parallel to the armature 32 and at its right-hand end has suitably secured thereto a corrosion-resisting contact 41 adapted to coact with the contact 35 on the spring arm 34 (Figs. 1 and 6).

The shank 43 and the bent overears 44 and 45 of the member 42 will be seen, by reference to Figure 1, to pass through or into the window or opening 21 in the end wall II and are thus held out of electrical contact with the casing !0.

At its left-hand portion the insulating bloc 31 is provided with a rectangular slot 48 adjacent to which are provided holes 49 and 55. A terminal member generally indicated in Figure at 5! is provided with a short shank 52 and spaced 5 ears 53 and 54 adapted to pass through the openings 49, 49 and 5|), respectively, in the insulating block 31, the cars 53 and 54 being thereupon bent over securely to hold the terminal member 5! in assembled relation to the block 31. Such parts of the terminal member 5I as are exposed on the rear face of the insulating block 31 will be seen to fall well within the compass of the window 26 and are thus held out of electrical contact with the casing I0. The member 5| (Fig. 5) is provided with a shank 55 extending away from the block 31, the shank 55 being in turn provided with any suitable means, such as a binding screw or the like (not shown), adapted to permit an electrical connection to be readily made therewith.

Preferably, the terminal members 5| and 42 (Figs. 5 and e) are assembled in the manner substantially as above described with respect to the insulating block 31 prior to securing the latter'25 to the end wall II of the casing.

Considering now the circuit of the coil or winding 25, it is first pointed out that one terminal or end 55 '(Fig. l) is grounded to the casing Ill,

being conveniently clamped between the core 23 and the side wall 3!. The other end of the wind-f ing 25 is connected by conductor 51 to the terminal 5I, being passed through a suitable lateral extension 4i; (see Fig. 3) of the slot 48 in the insulating block 31, whence the conductor 51 is soldered to the terminal 5!, as is indicated at 58. Assuming a suitable source of current to be connected to the terminals 55 and 46. the operative circuit will thus extend from the terminal 55, thence by Way of conductor 51 through the winding 25 and by way of the end or terminal 56 of the latter to the casing I0; from the latter the circuit continues by way of the spring member 33, the U-shaped portion 34 of which is in electrical contact with the portion 28 of the side wall I I and is held in electrical contact therewith by the clamping action of the insulating block 31. V Thence the circuit continues by way of the spring, extension 34 through contact 35, thence contact 41, and by way of the shank 43 to the other 50,

terminal 46. The armature 32 is thus attracted and swung in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 1 and 6, the clapper 22 striking the gong I8. This movement is effected against the yieldable action of the spring arm 5.

34 of the member 33. At the same time, however, this movement effects a separation of the contacts 36 and 41 (Fig. 1) due to the movement of the spring arm 34 with the armature 32 in a direction away from the fixed contact 41. Thus the 60 circuit is interrupted, the magnet 2532 is deenergized, and the spring arm 34 swings the armature 32 and the clapper 22 in clockwise direction, bringing the contact 36 again into electrical engagement with the fixed contact 41, thus again closing the circuit, and thus repeating the cycle as long as the energizing circuit is maintained closed outside of the device itself.

The action of the device may be predetermined by suitable adjustment of various of the parts. For example, the position of the armature 32 with respect to the core 23 may be easily determined by forcibly bending the spring arm 34 into the desired angularity necessary to fix the position of the armature 32. Likewise, the relation between the interrupter contacts 35 and 41 may be easily predetermined either by giving the spring arm 34 suitable bends but preferably by forcibly bending. the shank 43 to bring the otherwise fixed contact ,4! nearer to or farther away from the armature 32. Preferably-the shank 43 is stamped to have-formed therein a'rib t3 in order to give the shank 43 greater rigidity and greater permanence of adjustment when once bent into desired position.

The device, as already above pointed out, embodies a number of features that make it possible, readily and inexpensively to build the apparatus in such diminutive forms that it is particularly adapted for use as a toy or in connection with toy apparatus. When thus embodied, the device is apt to be subjected to considerable rough usage, and may and oftentimes is dropped or banged around. Topreclude disarrangement of certain of the operating parts when the device is roughly handled, I provide a stop 60, preferably in the form of a washer made of a suitable insulating material, like fibre, and preferably shaped substantially as. shown in Figure 7, and rigidly support this washer 60 adjacent the shank 33, as is better shown in Figure l. Preferably this washer is. supported by means of an eyelet 6 I, which rivets the washer 60 and an interposed spacer B2 to the end wall I 2 of the casing ID, the washer 68 being thus positioned to abut against the right hand and free. end of the shank 43. Thus if the device is dropped or receives a blow from any cause so as to tend to spring the shank 43 in clock-wise direction, as viewed in Figure l, the movement of the shank 43 in a direction away from the spring extension. 34, which carries the contact 3t, is definitely prevented and thus there is no danger of such a separation of the c ntact ll, carried by the shank 43, from the contact 36, carried by the spring extension 34, when the latter is in its normal position, as will prevent the intended electrical and mechanical operation of the device from taking place.

Preferably also the washer 66 is eccentric, and is toothed throughout its periphery, as is clearly shown in Figure 7, and preferably also is so held by the eyelet 6| as to permit rotation, at will, of the eccentric washer 60 about the rivet 6!. The recesses provided between adjacent teeth in the periphery of the washer 66 are of such sizes as to snugly receive the rib 43 in the shank 43. The rotation of the eccentric washer (it may thus'be utilized to adjust the shank 43, and hence its contact 41 toward or away from the springcarricd contact 36, the interlocking of the rib 43 with the toothed periphery of the eccentric 65 holding the latter not only in position to prevent undesired distortion of the shank 43 when the device is roughly handled, but also against rotationout of adjusted position.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in thisinvention an apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove noted, as well as many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved. It will be seen that the apparatus is of a thoroughly practical construction and that practically all of the metal parts thereof may be readily stamped out of sheet metal by operations that are simple, speedy and inexpensive. Moreover, it will be noted that the various parts may be rapidly and dependably assembled by operations that are simple and inexpensive to carry on. Also, it will be seen that a great compactness of construction is achieved and it may here be pointed out that I have been able to construct my invention in quite diminutive form to meet certain practical conditions of use. I might also note that where I desire to dispense with the gong and have the device operate solely as a buzzer, I simply provide an armature 32 that is devoid of the arm 2i and clapper 22 and I simply eliminate the step of spot welding the extension E7 to the flange M. The device, moree over, will be seen to be well adapted to meet the varying conditions of hard practical use. 10

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to he understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in-a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In audible signaling apparatus, in combina tion, a sheet metal housing having a coil supported therein and having a pair of apertures in a side wall thereof, an armature with which said coil coasts, a leaf spring to which said armature is attached and having a U-shaped portion extending about that portion of the side wall intervening said apertures, a sheet of insulating material substantially closing said apertures and extending over said U-shaped portion, means securing said sheet to said side wall to cause it to hold said leaf spring in position, a terminal secured by ears to said insulating gnaterial over one of said apertures and having one terminal of said coil connected thereto, and a terminal secured by cars to said insulating material substantially over said other aperture, said terminal having an extension extending inwardly of said housing and adjacent said armature and said extension having a part adapted to form one of the make and break contacts.

2. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a sheet metal casing having mounted therein a coil, a wall of said casing being apertured, an armature for coaction with said coil,

a yielding part for said armature to permit it to vibrate, means including a block of insulating material secured to said casing for securing said yielding part to said casing, said block of insulating material extending over said aperture, a terminal carried by said insulating block, and a conductive member in electrical connection with said terminal passing through said insulating block and into said casing ,and adjacent said armature to limit extent of vibrating movement of said armature.

3. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a sheet metal casing having a coil mounted therein, an armature for coaction with said ccil, yielding means secured to said armature, an insulating block resting against a wall of said casing and having said yielding means interposed between itself and said wall, a plurality of cars on casing for holding said insulating block in place, a terminal carried by said insulating block and having one end of said coil connected thereto.

i. In audible signaling apparatus, in combinatisn, a casing having a coil mounted therein and having a pair of apertures in a side wall thereof,

armature for coaction with said cell, a yielding part for said armature, said part being sub- 70,

stantially U-shaped and substantially fitted over the part of said side wall intervening said apertures, said yielding part supporting said armature for yieldin movement relative to said coil and said side wall being provided with a plu- T rality of securing ears, and a block of insulating material secured to said side wall by said ears and clamping apart of said U-shaped portion between itself and said side wall.

5. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a substantially L-shaped frame having a core secured to one arm thereof and extending substantially parallel to the other arm thereof, a coil about said core, an armature for coaction with the other end of said core and extending substantially parallel to said one arm, a leaf spring secured to said armature and having a portion bent at right angles and extending lengthwise of said other arm, and means including an elongated block of insulating material extending along and secured to said other arm and engaging said bent portion of said leaf spring for holding said leaf spring, both said block and said bent portion extending toward said on arm.

6. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a substantially L-shaped frame having a 'core secured to one arm thereof and extending substantially parallel to the other arm thereof, a coil about said core, an armature for coaction with the other end of said core and extending substantially parallel to said one arm, a leaf spring secured to said armature, a block of insulatingimaterial between which and said other arm. said leaf spring is interposed, means securing said block to said other arm, th reby to hold said leaf spring in place, said leaf spring having a contact movable therewith, a contact arm having a contact with which said leaf-spring contact coacts,.and means securing said contact arm to said block.

'7. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a substantially L-shaped frame having a core secured to one arm thereof and extending substantially parallel to the other arm thereof, said other arm being recessed, a coil about said core, an armature for coaction with the other end of said core and extending substantially parallel to said one arm, a leaf spring secured to said armature, said leaf spring being shaped I to substantially interengage with said recessed arm through a recess of the latter, and means preventing disengagement between said leaf spring and said other arm.

r 8. In audible signaling apparatus, in combina tion, a substantially L-shaped frame having a core secured to one arm thereof and extending substantially parallel to the other arm thereof, a coil about said core, an armature for coaction with the other end of said core and extending substantially parallel to said one arm, a block of insulating material, a leaf spring secured to i said armature, said leaf spring and said other arm being shaped to substantially interengage a terminal to which one end of said coil is connected, means mounting said terminal on said block and means securing said insulating block to said frame in a position relative to said leaf spring to hold the latter against disengagement from said other arm.

9. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a substantially L-shaped frame having a core secured to one arm thereof and extending substantially parallel to the other arm thereof, a coil about said core, an armature for coaction with the other end of said core and extending substantially parallel to said one arm, a leaf spring secured to said armature, said leaf spring and said other arm being shaped to substantially interengage, said leaf spring having a contact movable therewith, an insulating block carrying a fixed contact for coaction with said leaf spring contact, means securing said block to said frame in a position to hold said spring against dlsen gagement from said other arm, and means lnde pendent of said securing means for mounting said fixed contact on said block.

10. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a substantially L-shaped frame having a core secured to one arm thereof and extending substantially parallel to the other arm-thereof, one of said arms being recessed, a coil about said core, an armature for coaction with the other end of said core and extending substantially parallel to said one arm, a leaf spring secured to said armature, said leaf spring being bent around and through a recessed portionof said recessed arm, and insulating means carrying a terminal for said coil and secured to said frame for holding said leaf spring in position on said frame.

11. In audible signaling apparatus, in combina tion, a substantially L-shaped frame having a core secured to one arm thereof and extending substantially parallel to the other arm thereof,'a coil about said core, an armature for coaction with the other end of said core and extending substantially parallel to said one arm, a leaf spring 56- cured to said armature, said leaf spring having a contact movable therewith, a member carrying a fixed contact for coaction with said leaf-springcontact, an insulating block, means mounting said 1 member on said block and means securing said block to said frame in a position to hold said leaf spring in assembled relation with respect to'said frame.

12.111 audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a frame, a coil supported by said frame, a leaf spring member carrying an armature for coaction with said coil and having a contact thereon, a relatively rigid member having a contact for coaction with said first-mentioned contact, an elongated insulating block, said two members being spaced from each other in a direction lengthwise of said insulating block, one of said members having a portion thereof extending. between said insulating block and said frame at one point along the length of said block, whereby said portion may be clamped between the block and the frame when the block is secured to the frame, means whereby said other member is related to and supported with respect to said insulating block at a point spaced along said block from said first-mentioned point, and means securing said block to said frame. 7 I a 13. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a frame, a coil supported by said frame, a leaf spring member carried by said frame and carrying an armature for coaction with said coil and having a contact thereon, a relatively rigid member carried by said frame and having a con,-

tact for coaction with said first-mentioned coni tact, said frame having ears, and means whereby said members are carried by said frame, said means including an insulating block secured to said frame by said ears, one of said members having means for interlocking engagement thereof with said insulating block 14. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a frame, a coil supported by said frame, a leaf spring member carrying an armature for coaction with said coil and having a contact 'said insulating block, and means whereby said block holds said leaf spring member anchored relative to said frame.

15. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a frame, a coil supported by said frame, an insulating block secured to said frame, a leaf spring member carrying an armature for coaction with said coil and having a contact thereon adjacent its free end, a relatively rigid member having a contact adjacent its free end for coaction with said first-mentioned contact, said two members extending substantially parallel to each other with their free ends directed in the same direction and said two members being substantially at right angles to the plane of said insulating block, one of said members having cars at its end remote from its free end by which it is secured to said insulating block.

16. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a frame, a coil supported by said frame, an armature, means mounting said armature for coaction with said coil, said armature having a contact movable therewith, an elongated member having a reinforcing rib and also having a contact for 'coaction with said first mentioned contact, means securing one end of said elongated member to said frame, and a notched eccentric member positioned adjacent to the free end of said elongated member with the rib of the latter engageable in a notch or" said eccentric member, and means rotatably mounting said eccentric member on said frame.

17. In audible signaling apparatus, in combination, a frame, a coil supported by said frame, a leaf spring member carrying an armature for coaction with said coil and having a contact thereon, a relatively rigid member having a con- 7 tact for ccaction with said first-mentioned contact, an insulating block, means securing said 15 block to said frame, said two members extending substantially parallel to each other and at substantially 90 to the plane of said block, said frame and block being shaped so that said block extends in a direction generally lengthwise of the 20 axis of said coil, means securing one of said members to said block, and means securing the other of said members to said frame.

CHRISTIAN MILLER. 

